15
over Hong Kong. If the power rests in the Governor's hands during British rule, but is hastily shifted to the pro-British elements in
the Legislative Council during the transition period, so that the
chief executive becomes a mere puppet, it is tantamount to handing
over only sovereignty but not administrative power and the two have,
in fact, become separated. Besides, by drawing up in advance a
government framework which by passes China's authority, enabling the
self-rule government to derive its power from Hong Kong and not the
Chinese NPC, the British are not handing over sovereignty in the
proper way and sovereignty remains in Hong Kong.
The most significant sign that the British are handing over
sovereignty to China is to allow the Chinese NPC to formulate the
Basic Law and draw up provisions for Hong Kong's political system in
accordance with the provisions of the Joint Declaration. This is the
embodiment of sovereignty. If the British come up with a political
system of their own during the transition period and expect the
Chinese to accept it, it will no longer be a technical issue, but a
question of whether sovereignty will be genuinely handed over or not.
Timothy Renton will be visiting Hong Kong at the end of
October. This will be a turning point in Britain's adjustment of Hong
Kong's political reforms. Are these reforms preparatory arrangements
prior to change or will the existing arrangements be adopted? One can
get a clue to the question when Mr Renton comes here. It appears that
Mr Renton will be here to collect opinions within the Government and
then return to London for further instructions. But judging from the situation, the original to plan for political reforms vill certainly
slow down and amendments will be made. The Green Paper of 1987 can
hardly predict the progress of the Basic Law's drafting. It is more advisable to delay its publication than to push it through bastily.
22 October 1985